Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-09-16
THE FAIR AND WHISKEY.

1 I'LL hiu hUb UUiOhltt
1t was not unexpected by US that
Misrepresentation would be circu-
lated regarding the purchase of the
entire liquor privilege Of the Shen-
andoah County Agricultural Socie-
ty for the coming fair, but we had
not anticipated one to the effect
that this editor was IN collision
with the hotels and barroOms of
Woodstock. This last requires
some notice.
Last year the HERALD's editor
owned four shares of the stock OF
the Society. He contested the or
ganization of the fair IN meeting
of stockholders, and, being beaten,
he sold his 500 of stock for ten
dollars. This was used against the
HERALD, with no little effect, as
evldencing its hostility to this
promising enterprise of our farmers
and business men. But develop
ments during the fair turned the
tide, and at the end of the year
there was a change in organization.
1t was then we resolved TO do as
our citizens generally did last year,
and are doing this-ofer a special
premium.
There was SO much complaint last
year on account of the very close
proximity of the bar to the place
where most carriages were COM
PEELED to halt, that many persons
vowed they would not attend again.
IL is we'll known that more than
halt the attendants at a fair are
ladies' and children, and these were
compelled to witness unmentiona-
bic scenes within a few feet of their
vehicles. On this account the pres
ent management concluded to erect
a barrOOm at another point on the
grounds. But even this would have
been but a half remedy for the evil
complained Of. No man, whether
sober or drunkard, would take his
wife, sisters or daughters into
barroom, and yet he does as much
when he takes them inside of an
enclosure where liquor is vended
and drank, whether it be called
fair ground, a restaurant or a sa-
loon.
Applications soon came in to pur-
chase the liquor privilege, and we
heard of some of them. Having
determined to offer a especial Pre-
MUM" that would close the mouths
of some delinquent stockholders as
to our friendliness or unfriendll-
ness to the Society, and concluding
for ourselves, without conference
with any one, we approached the
President, DR.. Frank King, and
made him an offer for the entire
privilege, with "a statement of our
purpose. The President promptly
responded, that while it was less
than had been offered, he was sat
isfed that barrOOm should not be
a part OF the fair, and he would
agree to let us have the privilege
for much less, and with the Secre-
tary, Capt. Grabill, 1t was agreed
that no stakeholder could complain
of 500 as the price, with the con-
diuon of closing the liquor traffic
on the grounds. We told these
gentlemen this would be our "Spe.
cial Premium and IN much less
time than 1t takes to write this an
swer to all Misrepresentation, the
matter was disposed of by passing
receipt and money,-the receipt EN-
bOdying the conditions.
For the truth of this statement |
we refer to the President and !
Secretary, who were the only per-
sons having any knowledge of the |
matter till its cOnsummatlOn.
Our purpose was to offer Spe-
cial Premium that would do the |
Society the most good, and this we |
have abundant assurance has been |
accomplished.
We hope this will start senti.
ment against liquor traffic on our |
fair grounds that will settle it while
the Society exists.